Car accident and whiplash

[gjs0708]

I am 61 years old and was rear-ended in a car accident two months ago. I was the driver and wearing a seatbelt.  I had a similar accident 10 years ago.  

I now can't bend forward without extreme pressure and pain in my forehead.  I can't lay on the back of my head/occipital without feeling undue pressure and discomfort. I cannot bend my neck downward without the same pressure and pain after just a few repetitions - like 3.  Coughing, sneezing etc. cause pressure and pain.

I also have degeneration and injury to the cervical spine where an MRI and CAT scan were done and showed damage.  I had nausea for a couple of weeks after the accident and couldn't eat.

None has done any testing on my head.  I can't get anyone to listen to the severity of what I am experiencing in my head.  

Is this normal with healing just requiring a matter of time and rest?  Or, should I be more assertive regarding the injuries?

Thank you.

[queenisis]

Sorry i'm not a dr, but you know your body best.  I too was rear ended in december and the first opinion i received was post traumatic stress disorder and then i was dismissed. 3 months later, my doctor finally got me an MRI.  The results came back that i have lesions in my head.

My advice, be persistent, eventually someone will listen. If you're not happy, there's always a second opinion.

Good luck!

[Elsabe13]

I was rear-ended May 21st 09, and have 3mm sublaxztion C3-C4 from this accident.  I have had much louder ringing in my ears and a strange feeling/pain in my chest and breathing seems a bit affected, I seem to easily get out of breath. I took my Blood pressure and it is now 131/91 as for years before it was 115/65 on average!  It is pianful to look down, due to insurance issues I can't afford physical therapy. Am going to have an evaluation for possible Prolotherapy tomorrow - which pretty much took lower back pain away following spinal fusion S1-L5 for spondylolisthesis.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

How are you? Symptoms experienced after a whiplash include  neck pain, neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and ligaments, headache, dizziness, abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling, or shoulder or back pain. In addition, some people experience cognitive, somatic, or psychological conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or depression. Treatment may include pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and a cervical collar which is usually worn for 2 to 3 weeks. Range of motion exercises, physical therapy, and cervical traction may also be prescribed. Talk to your doctor about this and decide which management  is best for you.

Take care and best regards.

[gjs0708]

Thank you for your comment.  I appreciate the support and information.  A recent brain MRI, RARE T2 and FLAIR, indicate small vessel disease.  Can you advise relative to whiplash?  Thank you.

[gjs0708]

Thank you for your comment.  I hope you find a support team to help you.  Insurance info given to the insured is often deceptive to keep from paying.  Be certain to check all avenues.  I called other insurance agencies who had no vested interested and got the truth.  I followed up on the internet and then got better results from my insurance carrier.

A recent MRI showed small vessel disease.  Do you know about that?

[gjs0708]

Thank you for the comment.  This is exactly what I have been experiencing.  A recent MRI has indications of small vessel disease.  I haven't gotten feedback from my osteopath because she is OOT, but when I do I will repost.

I have also been so out of breath and energy, my chest hurts.  Same with the ringing and blood pressure.  Also tingling like I'm a cell phone on vibrate....  I now have a persistent dry cough and my lungs seem to be filling up.  

An osteopath can do a type of physical therapy and give you a referral.  I posted previously about insurance. Don't listen to your insurance provider.  They are masters of deception.  Check your state insurance commission website and google whiplash and brain injury.  It has great information that helped me manage and control my insurance.  Much success to you.

[scandinave]

I had an accident with bike about 10 years ago.  7 days after that i woke up with horrible pressure in my head.  I got sensitive for noises and light.  I felt like pjuking.  I was freezing and i was sweding in turns.  Also I became very distressed, couldn't stand any kind of pressure any more.  My emotions changed from regular to depressive.  I felt nausea after vibration for example in car.  In the evening I felt, that I couldn't set my head on the pillow, because it felt so bad.  I had pressure in the head the whole time.  My hands and feet were hot and cold in turns and I could feel a hard pressure in my feet.  Many times I didn't know what day is is in a week, what season.  At nights when I woke up I didn't know where I am.  I had problems to find words and felt tired.  After walking I fell asleep.  I didn't realise to go to hospital.  One year later on I started to look for help.  Nothing which could explain the symptoms could not be seen in X-ray, CT (3 years afterwards) or MRI (7 years after the accident).  The special doctor could find problems by hand from my neck.  Nowadays I have diagnosis of brain trauma and strain trauma on spine.

Here is one good thesis of Whiplash trauma:
http://gupea.ub.gu.se/dspace/bitstream/2077/4241/1/ah2000_13.pdf